The sewer overflow spilled Sunday shortly before 12:30 p.m. for more than two hours after heavy rainfall in the area.

DPW officials said the storms coupled with construction upgrades at the plant led to the overflow after rainwater infiltrated sewer lines that were already well above normal levels.

"It's not 2.4 million gallons of material from the toilet. It is mostly rainwater. The circumstances just came together in a perfect storm, and an overwhelming amount of rain infiltrated our pipes," Kurt Kocher with the DPW said.

The sewage overflow prompted health officials to close Rocky Point Beach, and county officials said they posted alerts on Cox's Point and Edgemere Park.

Beachgoer Mark Hopson told 11 News he didn't let the closure stop his family from having fun.

"We're not in the water, and there's no smell. We're just in the sand," he said.

Some said while it was disappointing, it's a good thing the beach was closed.

"It's not good that I can't bring my kids out here, but at the same time, I'm glad they closed it down so my kids don't get sick," said parent David Oday.

Officials said once the water samples return to normal, the alert will be lifted. The test results are expected Thursday, officials said.

DPW said it is about to begin a billion-dollar rehabilitation project for its sanitary system to prevent future overflows.